Patents by Inventor Steve Balls
Steve Balls has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Publication number: 20230234592Abstract: Described herein are techniques for optimizing operation of a fleet of electric vehicles. In some embodiments, a fleet management platform may maintain, in relation to a plurality of drivers, driving behavior patterns determined to be associated with the each of the plurality of drivers. Upon receiving a request for optimization of at least one operation related to a fleet of electric vehicles, such techniques may comprise determining one or more factors associated with the optimization of the at least one operation, identifying a set of driving behavior patterns correlated to the one or more factors, and customizing the at least one operation based on the identified set of behavior patterns and the driving behavior patterns.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 26, 2022Publication date: July 27, 2023Inventors: Michael MASQUELIER, Steve BALL, Arash RASTEH
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Publication number: 20230007004Abstract: An account provisioning manager is disclosed. A placeholder account is generated with a primary work set attribute and a plurality of enhanced work set attributes. Initially, the primary work set attribute is populated with data to convert the placeholder account into an onboarded operating account. Subsequently, the plurality of enhanced work set attributes are populated via data propagation into the onboarded operating account, wherein an enhanced work set attribute of the plurality of enhanced work set attributes is selectively populated in response to a trigger for the onboarded operating account.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2021Publication date: January 5, 2023Applicant: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLCInventors: Steve Ball, Justin Anthony Niles, Muhammad Omer Iqbal, Sadie Elise Henry, Sangeeta Ranjit, Sarat Chandra Subramaniam, Michael Vincent McLaughlin, Rachel Anne Brown Teller
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Patent number: 11271873Abstract: Certain aspects of the present disclosure provide a method of operating a service provider network node in a service provider network, comprising: establishing an interface between a control plane processing part and a data plane processing part for routing of control packets at the data plane processing part; at the control plane processing part, generating a control packet for routing through the service provider network; and at the control plane processing part, sending the control packet to the data plane processing part via the interface, to cause the data plane processing part to route the control packet through the service provider network using the one or more routing tables maintained by the data plane processing part in response to receiving the control packet from the control plane processing part via the interface.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 2020Date of Patent: March 8, 2022Assignee: Metaswitch Networks LtdInventors: Alan Elder, Jon Harrison, Steve Balls
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Patent number: 10978914Abstract: A vault apparatus for wireless power transfer includes a vault comprising an opening for a wireless power transfer (“WPT”) pad. The opening is located on a top of the vault. The vault apparatus includes a junction box formed into the vault. The junction box includes an opening oriented toward the top of the vault. The vault apparatus includes a sealing ring that maintains a WPT pad fixed in the vault where a portion of the sealing ring covers the junction box.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2019Date of Patent: April 13, 2021Assignee: Wireless Advanced Vehicle Electrification, Inc.Inventors: Patrice Lethellier, Ryan Calder, Evans Griego, Steve Ball, Marcellus Harper
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Publication number: 20200412667Abstract: Certain aspects of the present disclosure provide a method of operating a service provider network node in a service provider network, comprising: establishing an interface between a control plane processing part and a data plane processing part for routing of control packets at the data plane processing part; at the control plane processing part, generating a control packet for routing through the service provider network; and at the control plane processing part, sending the control packet to the data plane processing part via the interface, to cause the data plane processing part to route the control packet through the service provider network using the one or more routing tables maintained by the data plane processing part in response to receiving the control packet from the control plane processing part via the interface.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 25, 2020Publication date: December 31, 2020Inventors: Alan ELDER, Jon HARRISON, Steve BALLS
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Publication number: 20190252922Abstract: A vault apparatus for wireless power transfer includes a vault comprising an opening for a wireless power transfer (“WPT”) pad. The opening is located on a top of the vault. The vault apparatus includes a junction box formed into the vault. The junction box includes an opening oriented toward the top of the vault. The vault apparatus includes a sealing ring that maintains a WPT pad fixed in the vault where a portion of the sealing ring covers the junction box.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 15, 2019Publication date: August 15, 2019Inventors: PATRICE LETHELLIER, RYAN CALDER, EVANS GRIEGO, STEVE BALL, MARCELLUS HARPER
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Patent number: 10284028Abstract: An approach module determines that a wireless power transfer (WPT) secondary pad on a vehicle approaching a WPT primary pad is within an approach distance threshold from the WPT primary pad. A pulse module generates an electrical alignment pulse in the WPT primary pad or WPT secondary pad in response to determining that the WPT secondary pad is within the approach distance. A measurement module determines an amount of magnetic coupling between the WPT primary pad and the WPT secondary pad, and a feedback module that provides an alignment signal to a driver of the vehicle. The alignment signal represents magnetic coupling. The pulse module continues to provide electrical alignment pulses, the measurement module continues to determine an amount of magnetic coupling in response to the electrical alignment pulses, and the feedback module continues to provide alignment signals indicative of an amount of magnetic coupling as the vehicle moves in relation to the WPT primary pad.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2017Date of Patent: May 7, 2019Assignee: Wireless Advanced Vehicle Electrification, Inc.Inventors: Patrice Lethellier, Steve Ball, Marcellus Harper, Michael Masquelier, Hunter Wu
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Patent number: 10165090Abstract: Measures for transferring routing protocol information between a software defined network and one or more external networks are provided. A control node in a software defined network (SDN) is configured to maintain a protocol information database comprising routing protocol information for one or more switching nodes in the SDN. In response to detecting occurrence of a predetermined trigger event, the control node modifies the routing protocol information in the protocol information database, and determines whether the one or more switching nodes include an edge switching node. In response to the determination, a routing protocol message is transmitted from the control node to the edge switching node for forwarding via an external network interface. The routing protocol message includes data generated on the basis of the modified routing protocol information.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2014Date of Patent: December 25, 2018Assignee: Metaswitch Networks Ltd.Inventors: Fiona Corden, Steve Balls, Alex Pollitt, Shaun Crampton, Jonathan Harrison, Jeff Rollins
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Patent number: 10063456Abstract: Measures for processing data in a packet-switched network. A first device is configured to snoop control packets of a predetermined control plane protocol in the network. The predetermined control plane protocol is operated by a plurality of other devices in the network to obtain Layer 2 information on the basis of known Layer 3 information. The first device does not operate the predetermined control plane protocol in the network. At the first device, in response to identifying that a given snooped packet was generated according to the predetermined control plane protocol. Layer 3 information associated with a second device in the plurality is extracted from the given snooped control plane protocol packet on the basis of known Layer 2 information associated with the second device. The second device is connected to the first device.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2014Date of Patent: August 28, 2018Assignee: METASWITCH NETWORKS LTDInventors: Casey Davenport, Simon Wingrove, Alex Pollitt, Michael Curtis, Shaun Crampton, Steve Balls, Fiona Corden
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Patent number: 9923799Abstract: Measures for processing data in a packet-switched network. At a first device in the network, a packet transmitted from a second device in the network is received. The received packet comprising an Internet Protocol (IP) address for a third device in the network. On the basis of the IP address for the third device comprised in the received data packet, lookup in an IP routing table of the second device is initiated to obtain a next-hop address for the received packet. The obtained next-hop IP address is determined to be an IP address of a device connected to the first device.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2014Date of Patent: March 20, 2018Assignee: METASWITCH NETWORKS LTD.Inventors: Casey Davenport, Simon Wingrove, Alex Pollitt, Michael Curtis, Shaun Crampton, Steve Balls, Fiona Corden
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Patent number: 9871717Abstract: Measures for processing data in a packet-switched network. At a first device in the network, an echo request packet is transmitted into the network. The echo request packet comprises a predetermined identifier. An echo response packet is received from a second device in the network. In response to the received echo response packet comprising the predetermined identifier, the received echo response packet is identified as a packet generated on the basis of an echo request packet originated from the first device, and an Internet Protocol (IP) address comprised in the received echo response packet is determined to be an IP address of the second device.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2014Date of Patent: January 16, 2018Assignee: METASWITCH NETWORKS LTDInventors: Casey Davenport, Simon Wingrove, Alex Pollitt, Michael Curtis, Shaun Crampton, Steve Balls, Fiona Corden
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Publication number: 20170346348Abstract: An approach module determines that a wireless power transfer (“WPT”) secondary pad on a vehicle approaching a WPT primary pad is within an approach distance threshold from the primary pad. A pulse module generates an electrical alignment pulse in the primary or secondary pad in response to determining that the secondary pad is within the approach distance. A measurement module determines an amount of magnetic coupling between the primary pad and the secondary pad, and a feedback module that provides an alignment signal to a driver of the vehicle. The alignment signal represents magnetic coupling. The pulse module continues to provide electrical alignment pulses, the measurement module continues to determine an amount of magnetic coupling in response to the electrical alignment pulses, and the feedback module continues to provide alignment signals indicative of an amount of magnetic coupling as the vehicle moves in relation to the primary pad.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 30, 2017Publication date: November 30, 2017Inventors: PATRICE LETHELLIER, STEVE BALL, MARCELLUS HARPER, MICHAEL MASQUELIER, HUNTER WU
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Publication number: 20160065696Abstract: Measures for transferring routing protocol information between a software defined network and one or more external networks are provided. A control node in a software defined network (SDN) is configured to maintain a protocol information database comprising routing protocol information for one or more switching nodes in the SDN. In response to detecting occurrence of a predetermined trigger event, the control node modifies the routing protocol information in the protocol information database, and determines whether the one or more switching nodes include an edge switching node. In response to the determination, a routing protocol message is transmitted from the control node to the edge switching node for forwarding via an external network interface. The routing protocol message includes data generated on the basis of the modified routing protocol information.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 29, 2014Publication date: March 3, 2016Inventors: Fiona CORDEN, Steve BALLS, Alex POLLITT, Shaun CRAMPTON, Jonathan HARRISON, Jeff ROLLINS
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Publication number: 20150312128Abstract: Measures for processing data in a packet-switched network. A first device is configured to snoop control packets of a predetermined control plane protocol in the network. The predetermined control plane protocol is operated by a plurality of other devices in the network to obtain Layer 2 information on the basis of known Layer 3 information. The first device does not operate the predetermined control plane protocol in the network. At the first device, in response to identifying that a given snooped packet was generated according to the predetermined control plane protocol. Layer 3 information associated with a second device in the plurality is extracted from the given snooped control plane protocol packet on the basis of known Layer 2 information associated with the second device. The second device is connected to the first device.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 25, 2014Publication date: October 29, 2015Applicant: Metaswitch Networks LtdInventors: Casey DAVENPORT, Simon WINGROVE, Alex POLLITT, Spike CURTIS, Shaun CRAMPTON, Steve BALLS, Fiona CORDEN
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Publication number: 20150312149Abstract: Measures for processing data in a packet-switched network. At a first device in the network, a packet transmitted from a second device in the network is received. The received packet comprising an Internet Protocol (IP) address for a third device in the network. On the basis of the IP address for the third device comprised in the received data packet, lookup in an IP routing table of the second device is initiated to obtain a next-hop address for the received packet. The obtained next-hop IP address is determined to be an IP address of a device connected to the first device.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 25, 2014Publication date: October 29, 2015Applicant: Metaswitch Networks LtdInventors: Casey DAVENPORT, Simon WINGROVE, Alex POLLITT, Spike CURTIS, Shaun CRAMPTON, Steve BALLS, Fiona CORDEN
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Publication number: 20150312129Abstract: Measures for processing data in a packet-switched network. At a first device in the network, an echo request packet is transmitted into the network. The echo request packet comprises a predetermined identifier. An echo response packet is received from a second device in the network. In response to the received echo response packet comprising the predetermined identifier, the received echo response packet is identified as a packet generated on the basis of an echo request packet originated from the first device, and an Internet Protocol (IP) address comprised in the received echo response packet is determined to be an IP address of the second device.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 25, 2014Publication date: October 29, 2015Applicant: Metaswitch Networks LtdInventors: Casey DAVENPORT, Simon WINGROVE, Alex POLLITT, Spike CURTIS, Shaun CRAMPTON, Steve BALLS, Fiona CORDEN
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Publication number: 20070151005Abstract: A liquid dispensing device for use in the flush cistern of a water closet comprises a reservoir (13) for the liquid formulation which is fed from an inverted container (5) maintaining a constant liquid level (47) in the reservoir (13) at the mouth (37) of the container. A displacement body in the form of a piston (9), which may be magnetic, moves in a bore (56) to dispense liquid through opening (25). The piston (9) is moved by a float (11) which moves up and down as the level of water L in the cistem rises and falls on flushing. The float is coupled to the piston (9) magnetically. In another embodiment a direct mechanical coupling is used. Liquid seeps past piston (9) when in the lowered position, and is raised to overflow outlet (25) when the cistem fills. In another embodiment, liquid is dispensed on a downward stroke of the piston. The fit of piston (9) in the bore allows liquid to seep slowly past the piston to replenish the bore.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 16, 2004Publication date: July 5, 2007Inventors: Brian Wilson, Steve Balls, Darren Smith, Peter Virica
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Publication number: 20060270576Abstract: A lavatory cleansing block has two parts co-extruded together, the first part containing a chlorine releasing bleach and the second part containing component such as a perfume or colorant which need not be bleach resistant. Migration of components is avoided if there is no common hydrophobe in the two parts. The perceived performance of the perfume is enhanced by its juxtaposition with the bleach.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 17, 2006Publication date: November 30, 2006Applicant: JEYES GROUP LIMITEDInventors: Ian Sidgwick, Steve Balls, Russell Norman, Brian Wilson
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Patent number: 7056873Abstract: A lavatory cleansing block has two parts co-extruded together, the first part containing a chlorine releasing bleach and the second part containing component such as a perfume or colorant which need not be bleach resistant. Migration of components is avoided if there is no common hydrophobe in the two parts. The perceived performance of the perfume is enhanced by its juxtaposition with the bleach.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 1999Date of Patent: June 6, 2006Assignee: Jeyes Group LimitedInventors: Ian Sidgwick, Steve Balls, Russell Norman, Brian D. Wilson
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Publication number: 20030156976Abstract: A cleansing block for treating water comprises from 40% to 80% by weight of a halogen release agent, from 20 to 55% by weight of a surfactant component, and from 1 to 10% by weight of a hydrophobe.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 11, 2003Publication date: August 21, 2003Applicant: JEYES GROUP LIMITEDInventors: Brian Wilson, Steve Balls, Darren Smith, Peter Virica, Ian Sidgwick